Egyptian referee Mohamed Farouk has been suspended for using a spectator’s mobile phone to disallow a goal in a 2nd division match, according to reports.
Al-Nasr believed they had equalized late in the game against second-division Suez last Friday.
However, with video refereeing not available in the Egyptian second division, the referee used the phone to review a contentious action after the protests of the players of Suez FC for a hand fault. To that effect, the goal was then canceled.
As a result, the incident has since sparked controversy, leading to the Egyptian Football Federation suspending the referee and linesmen indefinitely for an investigation into the use of a mobile phone during the match. In a statement, the Egyptian Football Federation said: “The committee has decided to investigate the incident in which Mohamed Farouk, the match referee, used a mobile phone to view images of the match.”
Suez FC needed to score their third goal shortly after the disallowed goal to secure a 3-1 win after 15 minutes of added time.
At the final whistle, referee Mohamed Farouk walked off the pitch under police escort amid protests from Al-Nasr players and officials who threatened to take legal action for breaching the rules.
This is not the first time that technology has caused controversy in football, particularly with the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR) system.
Many football fans have criticized the use of VAR, citing delays and inconsistency in its application.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential misuse of technology in football, particularly with the growing use of smartphones and mobile devices.
It is unclear at this time what action will be taken against the referee, but the incident has sparked a debate about the use of technology in football and its impact on the game.
In conclusion, the incident involving referee Mohamed Farouk has raised questions about the use of technology in football and its potential impact on the game.
While the use of technology can be beneficial, it is important that it is used responsibly and appropriately to ensure the integrity of the game is maintained.